The time of year you went - would you stick to that, or suggest another time? :huh

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We were really lucky with the weather - I would definitely recommend that time of year. Pleasant to ride during the day - it was hot when stopped, but nice when moving and while the nights were cool, I prefer it that way as there is nothing worse than being dirty and sweaty in a sleeping bag.

Just 2 weeks before we left, many roads were still closed, but as a result, we were lucky to ride freshly graded roads on many occasions... A bit of water, however, would have made it much harder and much less fun.

We were pretty good on fuel. It was only when we bypassed fuel that we ran into dramas (which was only once en route to Tibooburra). On our route, the longest fuel stop was Innaminka to Birdsville, around 380km and then Yulara to Warakurna.

Given the soft sand and resulting poor economy, the run from Overlander Roadhouse to Steep Point does require a top up. We only needed 5lt each, but without it, we would not have made it both ways.

Great ride report and shots. I was one of the motley crew of GAR riders leaving Cape Byron the same day you guys left and we met up again in Alice with you and Linc. Gotta thankyou for the bottle of red you left for us at Steep Point it was great to celebrate the end of our cross country adventure.

I gotta say the sand in to the point was the most difficult part of our trip as the group was such a blend of bikes and skill levels that we had to miss some of the more difficult stuff you guys took. Congrats on reaching the 'end of the road' mate!

As we had a cameraman I didnt take too many photos but we have yet to get anything back form him so your shots were really bringing back the terrain and why we enjoy to get out back so much...lots of nothing but sky by day and stars at night.... oh yeah and water in the desert - crazy. Might do the Simpson trip for Tugboat Bill in May as like you I think we all missed the real Big Red and now I need to go back to conquer it.

Excellent ride and report guys, thank you.
I lived in the Uluru (Ayers Rock) area for many years and, because some readers may not be aware, add a bit to this comment;

No, we didnt climb it.

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The local Pitjantjatjara and Yankuntjatjara Aboriginal people have always frowned upon tourist climbing Uluru, but it wasn't until the early 1970s (after closing the area to tourists for a day and conducting ceremonies there that they regained the confidence to express their concerns to the NT government. So now climbing Uluru is strongly discouraged.

And 'yes', Kata Tjuta (Many Heads) or 'The Olgas' is much more spectacular than Uluru and a enjoyable day can be spent riding and walking around Kata Tjuta.

Just in the interest of information sharing, Lasseter sheltered in that cave on the Hull and eventually walked from there to his death in the desert.

The real tragedy is that the local Aboriginal people had been following him for weeks but he fired at them and scared them off. They could have saved him. In 1972 I had the good fortune to talk with an Elder of that area who, as a boy, was one of the group who followed Lasseter. Thankfully, the Elder's oral history has been recorded.

Great ride report and shots. I was one of the motley crew of GAR riders leaving Cape Byron the same day you guys left and we met up again in Alice with you and Linc. Gotta thankyou for the bottle of red you left for us at Steep Point it was great to celebrate the end of our cross country adventure.

I gotta say the sand in to the point was the most difficult part of our trip as the group was such a blend of bikes and skill levels that we had to miss some of the more difficult stuff you guys took. Congrats on reaching the 'end of the road' mate!

As we had a cameraman I didnt take too many photos but we have yet to get anything back form him so your shots were really bringing back the terrain and why we enjoy to get out back so much...lots of nothing but sky by day and stars at night.... oh yeah and water in the desert - crazy. Might do the Simpson trip for Tugboat Bill in May as like you I think we all missed the real Big Red and now I need to go back to conquer it.

cheers mate

Barry

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Hey Barry,

Yeah, it was a lot of fun too... cant believe it was 6 months ago now - time flies when your not having so much fun too.

Much to the consternation of many of my "friends", my wonderful Ténéré has now moved on and made way for a GS Adventure. With my dirt and sand skills up a bit, and every where I want to go is a bloody long way from home, I have felt it was time to move onto a little more power and a little more comfort. I must say,with only 750km on the big BMW, I am astounded at the balance of the thing - for such a lump of bike, it really does feel nimble, belying its girth.

Was really happy to have met you guys and shared our experience with you and shared in yours. We had awesome weather and I understand we were there for the 2 days a year Steep Point is not blowing a gale.

Keep in touch mate and if you ever find yourself in Sydney town, give me a hoy.